If Isaac Bruceis indeed going to play Sunday in St. Louis in his last game with the 49ers, he will do so off little or no practice time with the offense.

Bruce did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and has not been a part of the offense since a one-catch effort at Green Bay on Nov. 22. Players who do not practice by Thursday generally do not play on Sunday.

But coach Mike Singletary said Wednesday there was a "strong possibility" that Bruce would play against the Rams as he returns to the city where he had his greatest success as an NFL player.

"Start and play the game?" offensive coordinator Jimmy Rayesaid. "I don't think he could do that ... based on his inactivity over the last six or seven weeks. It has been a long time since he has actually done any football stuff."

Furthermore, Raye said, "I don't want to do something to disrespect the career he has had and show some form of tokenism that is shallow and meaningless."

Sounds like the head coach and offensive coordinator need to get on the same page regarding Bruce.

Dreads no more: For tight end Vernon Davis, the new year brings with it a new look. After seven years, he's dreads-less.

Davis came to work Thursday shorn of the dreadlocks he has had since his freshman year of college at Maryland. He said he chopped off his dreads with scissors and went to a barbershop for a proper trim.

"I just got tired of it," he said. "I just wanted a new look. It was tough. I actually cried when I did it."

Davis said his teammates were surprised and excited when they saw him sporting the new 'do.

"They came in touching my head. It was fun," he said. "It does feel weird. I actually feel faster."